The Dog

But this is the problem with speedway Arnieg, clubs should be at least breaking even at every meeting without sponsorship or the playoffs propping them up

And to think some people reckon Lambert shouldn't be in the Grand Prix series... Outstanding rider.

Have not caught up with the meeting yet, but I can't help but feel this is what you get when you run the play offs in late September early October. Damp and cold and riders and fans would rather be elsewhere. Everybodys enthusiasm is waning at this time of year. Get the play off done on the August Bank Holiday when hopefully, the weather and tracks are still good and fans go into the winter remembering speedway with the sun on their backs rather than speedway getting a cold and trench foot.

The saddest thing for me is the fact that the BSPL are making one desperate last move to show the rest of the speedway world that British speedway can attract the best riders in the world again when we all know the real truth.

I can see what you mean but I think even if Harris dropped a point on his average, he'd be a better bet than most. Sometimes it's easy to forget that these riders are on that average for a reason. Harris has had a really good year all round, I'd be tempted to build around him. The mistake teams make is keeping riders who've had a good career but are now averaging 5 or 6 points because people remember their past

Seems bizarre that you'd be happy to lose your number 1 rider who very rarely gets injured, committed to British speedway etc for the likes of Tungate

Agree. Also, I can't decide if both parties have been really naive with regards to knowing the rules or really arrogant in thinking that they could do what they wanted regardless of the rules... Why would you book flights, make transport arrangements for mechanics and have kevlars made unless you had proper confirmation?

It is a fabulous photo given the equipment that was around at the time, but some of the pictures inside leave a bit to be desired. Only the odd one or two mind because we do have some excellent snappers who don't get the credit or reward they deserve

I've noticed some of the photos appear to be losing quality and sharpness lately, is this down to the different paper it's printed on or just the photographer?

Can't make the call just yet, fans not soaked through to their undies yet....

What I don't understand is why aren't all riders venting their spleen over these unsafe tyres? If safety is paramount as we keep getting told, why is it only Nicholls that's had the guts to say his piece? Surely the BSPL should be protecting the riders too by either not running meetings until these tyres have been proven or by enforcing the dumbing down of engine performance so the back wheel isn't spinning so viciously. Something seriously wrong if a tyre cannot last a minutes racing let alone a whole meeting.

Did I hear Sam call him Dan Beale earlier?

The reason will be for one of 2 things. 1. They don't want people to realise how poorly speedway is supported nowadays. 2. They don't want people to work out the real income and outgoings of running a speedway club. Hence the reason nobody ever knows what riders earn etc. If everything was more transparent then you could pinpoint how to make speedway viable instead of mullering through year after year. That way we might be able to go forward...

The Brummies could sign the top 3 in the world but it's not going to make any difference to the average Joe in the street. There needs to be a monstrous change in how speedway is put out into the public eye to make it sustainable otherwise deep pockets and passion just aren't going to be enough. And this goes to every club, not just Birmingham.

Don’t give them ideas....

Cheers Rob

I've heard that Kings Lynn is being looked at for hosting the restaging of the British Final. Anybody else heard the same or know why it would be moved from BV?

This sounds like their admitting that theirs an issue with the Peterborough track without actually saying it... Or saying that there's a problem with the tyres without actually saying it...

Probably tapped into the local terraced houses knowing the Scousers...

Of all the tyre manufacturers in the world, only speedway could find one that doesn't last the 60 seconds needed....

2 minutes from the track and we had reasonably heavy rain around 7ish til11am and then steady light rain since

If I took drugs I'd have a job even finding my bike let alone riding it.... !

Seems odd that they manage to get a real household name and worldwide sporting legend like Ronnie O'Sullivan along but not announce him or use him as a promotional tool until 2 days before the event...

If they wanted to hold it in the Midlands, why not at the Ricoh Arena, more sand than grass so your halfway there with the surface...

Can't help but think that if they told you what was going on months in advance regarding other events, celebraties attending etc, that fans could be attracted long ago rather than 4 days before the event and nobody really knows anything. But then again, it wouldn't be speedway would it...